‘Original Famous Dave’s’ destroyed by fire

A northern Wisconsin landmark has burned to the ground. The original Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant, the first location for the successful barbecue chain, was destroyed in a fire early Monday morning.

The Sawyer County Record reported that dispatchers began receiving 911 calls around at 4:30 a.m. Flames being seen jumping from the bar area of the restaurant on Round Lake near Hayward. Fire crews from the Town of Hayward and Town of Round Lake Fire Departments responded and found the structure engulfed. No one was inside the building at the time the fire was discovered.

Famous Dave’s founder Dave Anderson expressed his sadness in a Facebook post early Monday.

“At 4:30 AM I was awakened by a call that my first restaurant The Original Famous Dave’s in Hayward Wi was ablaze. 20 years of memories. We will rebuild,” wrote Anderson. “For all our employees– Kathy and me and our GM Dave Von Rueden…we will find a location to be open ASAP. Maybe even in one of our pole barns at the family farm. Just know we will reopen and start serving great BBQ all over again! Please let everyone know this is only a temporary setback and we will begin anew!!!”

Anderson opened the original restaurant on Round Lake in 1994. The chain has expanded and now has locations in 34 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and one Canadian province.